Maternal Well-being During COVID-19: Caring for Autistic Adolescents in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted the lives of numerous families, especially those with autistic adolescents. This study examines the lived experiences of seven mothers caring for autistic adolescents in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala (India), during the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing the obstacles they encountered, their resilience, and the effects on their maternal well-being. This research employs Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory, the theory of family resilience, and interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) to examine the effects of changes in routines, social support systems, and institutional access on the caregiving roles of these mothers. The findings indicate heightened emotional labor, social isolation, and an escalation in caregiving labor, exacerbated by social stigma and insufficient formal support. The mothers demonstrated resilience through adaptive routines, self-care behavior, and dependence on online support networks. The research emphasizes the necessity for systemic reforms to enhance support for these caregivers, underscoring the significance of robust support networks for maternal well-being.